Foster Care

Why Foster?

Foster homes are needed to provide temporary homes for animals whose current medical or behavior conditions are not manageable in a shelter setting.

In the summer and fall, hundreds of young kittens too young for adoption are in urgent need of foster care.

Foster care is also needed year round for healthy, sick and injured dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages, and for sick and injured cats.

By taking a foster animal into your home on a temporary basis, the animal is given the opportunity to adjust to a home environment, given additional time to find a permanent home, and more room is available at the shelter for another animal in need.

How it works

What it takes

Fostering a shelter animal is a wonderful, rewarding experience, but can also be time consuming and hard work.

Although previous fostering experience is not required, the ideal foster care provider will have basic knowledge of animal care and training, as well as a desire to find their foster animal a safe, loving forever home.

As a foster parent, you will provide your animals with care, including food, water, shelter, litter, training and trips to Kitsap Humane Society for medical treatment when necessary.

The length of foster care commitment varies widely based on each animal. Some animals may only need a couple weeks of foster care; other animals may need many months of foster care. The length of time can depend on the animal’s age, medical issues or adoptability.

What you get

Kitsap Humane Society provides Foster Care Volunteers and their foster pets with pet food, basic vet care, and behavior training resources and support as needed. All foster parents are paired with an experienced Foster Mentor who can provide one-on-one support.

Donated treats, toys and litter are also available for Foster Care Volunteers when available.

Foster candidates will be contacted by email to set up a time to come into the shelter for an interview with the Foster Care Coordinator. Be watching for the email and please be sure to check your spam folder!